IMPACT and SIPTU, the two unions which represent the 550 Community Welfare Officers who work with refugees in the 26 Counties, have deplored the ``new practice of compulsorily assigning refugees and their families to full board hostels around the state, with just £15 for living expenses''. Spokespersons for the unions said that this policy was ``dictatorial and discriminatory'' and warned that staff may refuse to administer it. Free article

In providing smaller increases to welfare recipients other than the elderly, the government is creating a two-tier system of ``deserving'' and ``undeserving'' poor. So said Sinn FéinTD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin when he spoke on the Social Welfare Bill 2000. He also called for the increases in Child Benefit to be brought forward from September to May. Deputy Ó Caoláin said: Free article

Wexford Sinn Féin Councillor Anthony Kelly has told the residents of Bishopswater and the surrounding areas he has had a motion for a roundabout and pedestrian crossing in their area and also in the area of the Gaelscoil, which now has 182 pupils attending. Free article